Pheochromocytoma Support Group

A pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands originating in the chromaffin cells, which secretes excessive amounts of catecholamines, usually epinephrine and norepinephrine. Extra-adrenal paragangliomas are closely related, though less common, tumors that originate in the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system and are named based upon the primary...

I also had a blood test called Metanephrine free and Normetanephrine free which was normal. Isn't this the gold standard for testing? If this is negative does it mean that I likely don't have a pheo even with my high urine tests?

They told me I had to retake the test and quit smoking, drinking coffee and taking xanax for 5 days prior to the test. The coffee I can live without but the smoking and xanax I just don't think I can handle giving up right now. My anxiety is terrible and the xanax is the only thing that is allowing me to live some what of a normal life. I took this week off of work to try to quit smoking and I failed. I know it's terrible and please don't judge me because I'm already judging myself over and over again about it.

I haven't read anywhere that xanax can affect the results of this test. I see that smoking can but would it really cause it to be this high? I've had a cat scan in the past which never mentioned an adrenal gland tumor although both of my adrenal glands are enlarged slightly. I also had a scope done for stomach problems which did mention a small nodule on one of my adrenal glands.

What happened to you? It certainly can be a pheochromocytome for they have seen a mass on your adrenal gland, it is not likely to be a coincidence to have symptoms and having an adrenal mass at the same time. Test for Chromogranin A and if the results are high then it is a neuroendocrine tumor (pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma). Repeat metanephrine levels in urine with indications and without Xanax please, that can interfere with your tests, Xanax can be lowering the levels, not rising them as you think! So that is why they want to repeat tests.

Xanax may be interfering lowering the results for the results you have written here are not enough to confirm a pheochromocytoma or a paraganglioma, so they want to see if without Xanax the outcome is three or more times higher, so they can confirm the tumor.

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